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Scientists in Australia have found that pregnant women who become depressed in the later stages of their pregnancy are more prone to postnatal depression. The results of the study were published online on April 18, 2008 in the open-access peer review journal, BMC Psychiatry.

The researchers, Dr. Bronwyn Leigh of Heidelberg Repatriation Hospital, Austin Health and Dr. Jeannette Milgrom of the University of Melbourne in Australia were able to identify seven major risk factors for the possibility of becoming depressed after giving birth. They noted that the main risk factor found in the study group of 367 pregnant women was late pregnancy depression. In addition they found that women who reported that they found parenting stressful were those who also suffered from postnatal depression.

The study group consisted of 367 pregnant women who completed a number of questionnaires when they were between 26 to 32 weeks pregnant. Of this number, 161 repeated the questionnaires between 10 and 12 weeks after giving birth.

The researchers wrote that “Targeted interventions for antenatal and postnatal depression may reduce both the symptom severity and incidence of perinatal (before or around the time of giving birth) depression and assist in the amelioration or prevention of early parenting stress.”

Ultimately, the doctors found that by treating depression in pregnant women, it would minimize the risk of postnatal depression as well as help women cope better with the early stages of becoming a parent.

The study, according to Dr. Leigh and Dr. Milgrom, noted that most research and treatment of depression has been focused on postnatal depression, hence the major significance of their findings. While there have been research and even organizations dedicated to helping women and their families deal with perinatal depression, this research is one of the few that identifies so many of the risk factors. In addition, it will bring some exposure to a little known or discussed problem of pregnancy.

The results of the doctors’ findings will definitely go a long way in helping to prevent or at least minimize the severity of post partum depression which will help millions worldwide deal with a difficult condition.

As someone with friends who have suffered from post partum depression and therefore did not truly enjoy their first few weeks or months of motherhood, this is welcome news.

Tags: late-pregnancy depression, maternal health, pernatal depression, post partum depression, pregnancy-related depression